Beyond the Biologics: Procedures that Can Treat Hidradenitis Suppurativa
As a dermatologist, I love procedures. There is just something about the doing and using of your hands to help someone that is professionally satisfying. For decades, we’ve approached different dermatologic conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), as procedure centered. Over time, as our understanding of HS grew along with the discovery of biologics, HS is […]
Psoriasis and Hidradenitis Suppurativa: What Does IL-17 Have to Do With It?
Our immune system is a complex network and relies on communication molecules to carry out its functions. The big group of communication molecules are called cytokines. They deliver messages to the immune system which signal certain actions like further cytokine production or recruitment of additional immune cells. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a proinflammatory family of cytokines […]
Zit Happens
Yes, it’s true. No matter how good your skin looks, we’ve all had one—a juicy pimple. Some of us are lucky and rarely experience a breakout—the dermatologic unicorns, and for others, it can be a lifelong battle. I can remember breaking out for the first time in fourth grade. Then there’s another category of acne […]
Baby on Board, Retinol Overboard!
Ahh the glow of pregnancy. I’ve seen it, experienced it and felt at times that it was a bold faced lie. I’ve been pregnant three times and have three beautiful children as a result, but let’s face it—When you’re pregnant, not all is roses and sunshine. Yes, I was one of those irritating pregnant women […]
Medicare for All?—At This Rate, for None
I really wanted to grab your attention with the title of this blog. No, this is not a debate about Medicare for all. This is a call to action and awareness because the proposed cuts to Medicare could mean a change in Medicare forever, and not for the better. You don’t see it on the […]
Biologics in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Capitalizing on the Window of Opportunity
Life has windows of opportunity but so does medicine—a point in time when intervening may change the course of what happens next. Like anything else, it’s important to take advantage when those opportunities arise because once they’re gone… they’re gone. And when the window is there, “Take it!” In dermatology, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic, […]
Visible Light: The Sun Damage We’ve Been Missing
Have you ever had a patient come in with a sunburn and you immediately ask, “Did you wear your sunscreen?” As dermatologists we might pontificate about sunscreen, even if the patient says, “Yes.” When someone says they used their sunscreen right—used enough, chose SPF of at least 50, broad spectrum and reapplied consistently and still […]
Don’t Blame Coco but We’re Still Chasing the Tan
I can admit it. Even as a dermatologist I still like the idea of having that bronzed glow. I don’t go to the tanning bed or lay out in the sun but the desire to be a little bronzed is still there. I just get mine out of a bottle, like a Jergens, and yes, […]